How do I enable and disable Wi-Fi?
Laptops today all have Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) built-in, allowing people to connect to the Internet from almost anywhere. For security reasons, compatibility, or other reasons you may want to enable and disable your Wi-Fi device.
Note: If your Wi-Fi is not working or the suggested buttons do not work see our "Why is my wifi not working?" document for steps in troubleshooting your Wi-Fi.
How to enable a Wi-Fi device
Wi-Fi can be enabled by performing any of the steps below.
Enable with laptop Wi-Fi button
Some laptops have an On/Off switch for the Wi-Fi device, like the button shown in the picture. It is usually found on the front of the laptop or just above the keyboard. Find the button and make sure it is enabled. When enabled the button should illuminate (most likely blue) or show the word "On".
Enable with laptop Fn and Function key
Some laptops enable and disable Wi-Fi using the Fn key and one of the function keys (F1-F12). As seen in the picture the HP laptop we are showing uses the Fn and F12 key to enable and disable Wi-Fi and shows a small LED that is either orange when disabled or blue when enabled.
Enable in Windows
Look in the Windows notification area to find the icon for Wi-Fi or wireless Internet. Right-click with your mouse on the icon and select the option for enabling (or turning off) the Wi-Fi device in the pop-up menu. If no Enable option is available in the pop-up menu, there may be an option called "Open Network and Sharing Center." If so, select this option and then select "Change adapter settings". You should see an icon for the wireless network card, which you can right-click and select "Enable". This same option can be accessed through the Control Panel as well.
Note: In Windows 8, when you right-click the Wi-Fi icon, check to see if Airplane Mode is turned on. If it is, turn it off to enable the wireless network card.
Enable in Windows Device Manager
Access the Device Manager by right-clicking with your mouse on the My Computer icon on your Desktop or in the Windows start menu. Select Properties from the pop-up menu, click on the Hardware tab in the window that opens up, and click on the Device Manager button. (NOTE: In Windows Vista and later, there is no Hardware tab. Just click the Device Manager link in the System window.) Find the Wi-Fi device in the list of hardware devices. Right-click on the device name and select Enable from the pop-up menu. If no Wi-Fi device is found in Device Manager, the Wi-Fi device drivers are not installed.
Enable in CMOS setup
Finally, there is also the option of enabling the Wi-Fi device from within the computer'sCMOS setup. However, it is very unlikely that the Wi-Fi device would be disabled in CMOS.
How to disable a Wi-Fi device
Wi-Fi can be disabled by performing any of the steps below.
Disable with laptop Wi-Fi button
Some laptops have an On/Off switch for the Wi-Fi device, like the button shown in the picture. It is usually found on the front of the laptop or just above the keyboard. Find the button and make sure it is disabled. When disabled the button should not be illuminated or if illuminated be orange or red.
Disable with laptop Fn and Function key
Some laptops enable and disable Wi-Fi using the Fn key and one of the function keys (F1-F12). As seen in the picture the HP laptop we are showing uses the Fn and F12 key to enable and disable Wi-Fi and shows a small LED that is either orange when disabled or blue when enabled.
Disable in Windows
Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Windows notification area and select Disable (or turn off) from the pop-up menu. If no Disable option is available in the pop-up menu, there may be an option called "Open Network and Sharing Center." If so, select this option and then select "Change adapter settings". You should see an icon for the wireless network card, which you can right-click and select "Disable". This same option can be accessed through the Control Panel as well.
Note: In Windows 8, when you right-click the Wi-Fi icon, you can turn off Wi-Fi by turning on Airplane Mode.
Disable in Windows Device Manager
In the Device Manager, right-click on the Wi-Fi device name and select Disable from the pop-up menu.
Disable in CMOS Setup
As is the case with enabling the Wi-Fi device, it can also be disabled in the computer'sCMOS setup.
Wi-Fi on Desktop computers
Wi-Fi devices are also available for Desktop computers. The Wi-Fi button mentioned earlier is not available with most Desktop computers. However, there is the possibility that the Wi-Fi device itself (typically an external version, like a USB Wi-Fi adapter) has an On/Off button. If there is no button disconnecting the device from the computer will disable the device.
If the Wi-Fi adapter is not an external device it is either an internal PCI expansion cardor built onto the motherboard. When you install the software for the Wi-Fi device, an icon will then show in the Windows notification area, giving you access to enable and disable the device. Alternatively you can disable and enable Wi-Fi adapter throughDevice Manager or CMOS setup.
For more information
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